There are many aspects of good wound care, including nutrition and choosing the right dressing
Cuts and scrapes, grazes and stings are part of life and our remarkable bodies are able to heal most of them naturally within a few short days. However, more serious wounds can take weeks, or even longer, to heal, and there are many factors which can influence wound care, and healing can be delayed because of infection and poor dietary intake. Wounds that can often require specialist advice and care include pressure ulcers, venous ulcers, arterial ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers and surgical wounds.
A balanced, healthy diet helps support the immune system and protects against infections. This is especially important during wound care as not eating enough healthy food or the right balance of foods can delay or slow down healing. Protein is very important for wound healing as it helps build and maintain muscle, heals tissue and supports a healthy immune system.
To aid healing, a person may be recommended a supplement, such as a vitamin and mineral supplement, to improve their diet. However, patients should not take a supplement without first discussing it with their doctor or other healthcare professional.
One of these products is Calshake, an oral nutritional supplement powder which is reconstituted with milk to provide a high caloric drink. It is designed for the dietary management of patients with increased energy requirements, and is also suitable for use in disease related malnutriton, malabsorption states, or other conditions requiring fortification with a fat/carbohydrate supplement.
The Nutricia range of products uses scientific insights to develop innovative nutritional solutions that make a positive difference to health. One of its products is Nutrison Advanced Cubison. This is a food for special medical purposes for the dietary management of disease-related malnutrition in patients with chronic wounds.
Another product is Cubitan, which is for the dietary management of pressure ulcers. For use under medical supervision only, Cubitan is a high energy, high protein oral nutritional supplement enriched with arginine, zinc and antioxidants. It is available in three flavours: vanilla, strawberry and chocolate.
Like so many aspects of health, smoking negatively affects wound healing. Smoking causes constriction/tightness in the blood vessels, therefore, reducing the flow of blood, oxygen and nutrition to the wound, interfering with the healing process. According to a study published in the European Society of Medicine, nicotine significantly impacts wound healing through its effects on vascular response, inflammation, and cellular functions critical to tissue repair.
“Cigarettes impair wound healing due to the combined effects of nicotine, carbon monoxide, and tar, which disrupt oxygen delivery, increase inflammation, and weaken collagen remodeling. E-cigarettes, while combustion-free, still hinder wound repair through nicotine’s effects,” the study said.
Another study found that nurses and other wound care clinicians should incorporate personalized, evidence-based smoking cessation strategies in their care plans to improve healing outcomes in the chronic wound population.
After a nasty fall or graze, for young children wounds can be quite distressing but fortunately there is a range of over the counter products to help ease the pain and protect the wound.
Firstly, there are a range of age appropriate and trusted medications to soothe pain, including Calpol which has a number of products. There is also Nurofen for Children. This provides fast, effective, long-lasting relief from teething pain, toothache, earache, headache, muscular minor aches and sprains, sore throat and cold and flu symptoms and reduces a fever.
Aloe vera is well known for its healing properties and it is contained in a number of popular products. One product is Aloe Pura’s Aloe Vera gel. It soothes and cools the skin while containing moisturising and nourishing properties which helps restore dry and damaged skin. The Aloe Vera gel can be applied to stretch marks, scars, dry, chapped skin, sunburn, skin irritations, and minor burns. There is also Lifeplan Organic Aloe Vera Gel.
Another product for the treatment of wounds is the iconic Sudocrem.
Sudocrem Antiseptic Healing Cream has been used and loved by families since 1931, and it is great for soothing sore skin. Versatile enough to be used by the whole family, it can be used to treat cuts and grazes, acne, eczema, sunburn, minor burns, bedsores and chilblains.
One of the most well known uses of this product is in the treatment of nappy rash, one of the most common skin conditions in the early stages of a baby’s life. It is an irritation of the skin caused or aggravated by contact with urine and faeces in a nappy. The rash starts with a slight reddening of the skin in the nappy area and can progress to soreness and discomfort.
For nappy rash, Sudocrem is clinically proven to soothe and heal a baby’s delicate skin. It can also be used in the treatment of eczema. Sudocrem’s emollient soothes and softens skin, while its zinc oxide helps to reduce the loss of fluid from the skin. Its water-repellent excipient base, which includes paraffin and other waxes, creates a protective seal around the affected area.
Vaseline also has products designed to aid healing. One of these is Vaseline Healing Jelly Cocoa Butter. Best known for its properties that accelerate the skin’s natural healing process by forming a protective barrier, to seal in moisture, this classic skin protectant is infused with cocoa butter and great for dull skin, giving it a natural-looking glow. It is dermatologist tested and does not clog pores. Gentle, it is also suitable for sensitive skin.
Vaseline Jelly is aalso known for protecting minor cuts and burns as it creates a protective barrier on the skin’s surface to lock in moisture to help protect skin while it heals. By sealing in moisture it also helps to reduce the dryness of scarred skin, once the skin has healed. This may help to improve the appearance of scars, making the skin look smoother and softer, as well as helping to reduce the itchiness caused by dryness.
In terms of nappy rash, Vaseline can also be helpful. Vaseline Healing Jelly Baby’s triple-purified petroleum jelly is paediatrician-recommended and formulated to soothe nappy rash. With a light baby powder fragrance and a gentle formula, it’s ideal for protecting and soothing dry skin on a baby’s face and body.
There is also Cavilon Durable Barrier Cream, which provides long-lasting protection from bodily fluids whilst moisturising the skin. It is a concentrated, breathable, fragrance-free moisturising skin barrier that resists wash-off and allows adhesives to adhere. It is ideal for the moisturisation of at-risk and/or severely dry skin, and it provides a barrier to protect skin.
E45 is also a trusted, well known brand. Its Eczema Repair Cream is a steroid-free cream formulated to treat the symptoms of eczema. Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that can cause dry, irritated skin. Atopic eczema is the most common form of eczema and causes the skin to become itchy, dry, and cracked.
E45’s Eczema Repair Cream has been formulated for the symptomatic treatment and relief of skin redness and itching that comes with atopic eczema. It is clinically proven to help reduce itching and redness. It is fast-absorbing and dermatologically tested to treat the symptoms of atopic eczema and soothe very dry, irritated skin on the face and body.
There is also HC45 Hydrocortisone Cream. It is an effective treatment for itchy skin, irritation and inflammation due to dry skin conditions, such as eczema and dermatitis, insect bites, nickel allergies, plant allergies and other irritants. It contains 1% w/w hydrocortisone acetate, an ingredient that works by changing how the body reacts to irritants, which can aggravate eczema and dermatitis, and insect bites. This reduces inflammation in the skin, which helps to reduce symptoms like redness, itching and swelling.
Savlon Antiseptic Cream is another trusted product to treat minor wounds and skin reactions. It helps cleanse and protect minor wounds from infection and is a first aid treatment for superficial burns, scalds, and insect bites. It also helps prevent infection on shaving cuts, blisters and sores and can be used to clean and treat minor skin problems.
There is also Savlon Scar Prevention Gel. Also helping soothe the pain of minor wounds and superficial burns, its hydro-active colloid gel creates optimal healing conditions to support the skin’s healing process. Helping to reduce the likelihood of scarring, it is safe and effective for use on minor wounds, superficial burns and grazes. Savlon Antiseptic and Pain Relief Gel is another product in the range. It contains antiseptic to help prevent infection and anesthetic to help relieve pain. Suitable for use for adults and children aged 12 years and over. Savlon Wound Cleansing wipes cleanse broken and damaged skin, such as cuts, grazes and minor wounds. They have no sting and are gentle on skin. They are alcohol free, sterile and safe for use around eyes.
Bepantiseptic First Aid Cream is also available over the counter from community pharmacies. It has an antiseptic action to help prevent infections, plus a soothing local anaesthetic to numb pain.
TCP Antiseptic Liquid is another very famous staple of the first aid box. Dual action TCP soothes pain, and fights infection. It can also be used for sore throats, mouth ulcers, cuts, grazes, bites, stings and spots.
Dettol Liquid is also a proven effective concentrated antiseptic disinfectant that kills bacteria that can cause infection and illness. It can be used for gentle antiseptic wound cleansing and antiseptic skin cleansing.
There is also A Vogel Atrogel Arnica Gel. A traditional herbal medicinal product, it is used in the symptomatic relief of muscular aches, pains and stiffness, sprains, bruises and swelling.
Kelo-Cote Scar Gel is another valuable product. It is used to treat scars resulting from trauma, surgery, burns or other events that result in broken skin. Kelo-Cote Gel self-dries to a waterproof, gas permeable membrane that acts like an extra layer of skin. It helps to soften, flatten and smooth a range of scar types, while maintaining the moisture balance and elasticity of the adjacent skin. It has also been shown to reduce the discolouration and itching associated with scars.
Appropriate and effective bandages are also a vital part of wound care and wound management. Fortunately as well as a range of antiseptic products, there are also a range of effective wound dressings available over the counter.
Elastoplast is one of the most famous brands. Its wound spray is an easy to use option for the antiseptic cleansing of minor acute wounds such as cuts, abrasions, first and minor second-degree burns and open blisters.
It can also be used for chronic wounds and postoperative wound care as per a doctor’s instructions. The Elastoplast Wound Spray also helps to remove crusts or clotted dressings. It is free of alcohol and does not cause stinging during application or dry the skin. Elastoplast Wound Spray is a pain-free and effective way to cleanse wounds from dirt and bacteria and prevent wound infections. Skin-friendly and suitable for children, Elastoplast Wound Spray is an effective and gentle way to support the wound healing process.
Another product, Elastoplast Fabric plasters, are suitable for covering all types of smaller wounds. They stretch with the skin’s movements. The non-stick woundpad protects and cushions the wound, while the strong adhesion ensures that the plaster stays in place. They also block 99% of dirt and bacteria.
Another trusted product from Fleming Medical is Medistrip Wound Closure Strips. They are flexible, breathable and are used for wound support post-operatively, skin tears or following early suture or clip removal. The strips stay firmly in place, allowing the skin to breathe and the wound to heal.
Medicare Fabric Plasters are a comfortable and convenient way to keep wounds clean, ventilated and protected by providing long lasting, reliable adhesion. The adhesive used on the Medicare Plasters is hypoallergenic, kind to skin, comfortable, and won’t irritate the skin. They have a strong adhesion and will protect the wound from contamination and infection whilst allowing it to breathe and heal quickly. The non-stick, extra absorbent, non-adherent pad ensures that the adhesive doesn’t stick to the wound.
Mediflex Bordered Silicone Dressing is also suitable for use on a wide variety of moderate to highly exuding wounds, ulcers, second degree burns and traumatic wounds. The dressing is air-permeable, making it a comfortable way to keep wounds clean and protected. Also from Medicare is Medicare Burn Gel Spray which offers instant relief from burns.
